One of the many great things about the recent British real ale renaissance is the wonderful variety of differing styles that are cropping up in the most unusual of places.
The old image of British ales being very one-dimensional and, dare I say it, bland has well and truly been squashed in the last few years.
Now brewers take pride in taking risks and moving out of their comfort zones, a major positive for both the consumer and the industry in general.
In the North West alone I have seen a number of superb new brewers of all sizes start up and become a regular fixture on the pumps and in the specialist beer shops across the region.
Ramsbottom’s First Chop Brewing Arm (now with a HQ in Salford) is one of those which continues to impress with a range of ales packed with glorious hops from far-flung shores.
The brewery is a relatively new venture for the First Chop having started in May 2012 but Richard Garner – who apparently discovered his love for ale at the Market Restaurant many moons ago – has already built a fine reputation both here and beyond.
And it isn’t hard to see why.
I recently enjoyed a bottle of his fine DOC ultra-pale ale at Pie & Ale in the Northern Quarter.
Weighing in at 4.1% it features not one but four varieties of New Zealand hops giving it a big flavour which was probably more suited to a barbecue during our limited summer than a Friday post-work session in a rain-soaked Manchester.
RANGE: First Chop Brewing Arm’s beers at Pie & Ale
As you would expect with an ale packed with hops from the southern hemisphere there is a definite sharp citrus-y flavour running through which builds as you move down the glass leaving a very satisfyingly dry finish.
As someone who prefers his beers pale and hoppy, this time of year isn’t the best for satisfying that urge with many brewers turning their attentions to stouts and darker brews.
There are no such worries with First Chop whose stable is packed with pale ales, all of which are big on hops and very distinct flavours.
Other favourites include HOP, a glorious ale with four varieties of whole hops from the US – and one from Slovenia – which stands tall and proud against any of its more well-established American cousins.
And for those who want more of a session ale, it is hard to look past AVA, a 3.4% hoppy blonde which has already scooped the best beer gong at the Bradford Beer Festival.
With First Chop’s selections available in bottles all year round from a selection of Manchester’s finest bars and shops, there really is nothing much to feel down about.
Well, apart from the weather…
First Chop Brewing Arm’s ales are available in bottles from Pie & Ale, Little Lever Street, Manchester. Prices vary.
Pictures courtesy of James Cridland and Pie & Ale.
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